Singing for the Soldiers event set for Monday

Published: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 4:19 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at 4:19 p.m.

The fifth annual Memorial Day Singing for the Soldiers will be held Monday at the Columbus Veterans Park, on Ward Street in Columbus.

Care package items will be collected at the event and sent to active duty military overseas. The evening will also feature gospel music and food for sale as well as a patriotic opening ceremony honoring past and present military.

Featured music includes:

Gospel music hall of fame member Archie Watkins, a long-time member of the legendary quartet The Inspirations and featured on more than 60 hits songs since the early '70s.

Bluegrass gospel group "The Watkins Family" will also be featured. The group is from the Toccoa, Ga. area, and was recently inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame.

Soul Vision, a southern gospel group from Henderson County which includes four musicians and singers.

<p>The fifth annual Memorial Day Singing for the Soldiers will be held Monday at the Columbus Veterans Park, on Ward Street in Columbus. </p><p>Care package items will be collected at the event and sent to active duty military overseas. The evening will also feature gospel music and food for sale as well as a patriotic opening ceremony honoring past and present military. </p><p>Featured music includes:</p><p>Gospel music hall of fame member Archie Watkins, a long-time member of the legendary quartet The Inspirations and featured on more than 60 hits songs since the early '70s. </p><p>Bluegrass gospel group "The Watkins Family" will also be featured. The group is from the Toccoa, Ga. area, and was recently inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. </p><p>Soul Vision, a southern gospel group from Henderson County which includes four musicians and singers.</p><p>Food sales will begin at 5 p.m. and will feature roasted corn, hot dogs, desserts and cold soft drinks. Proceeds will benefit shipping and postage costs to ship care package items.</p><p>Instead of an admission cost, attendees are asked to bring items to ship to soldiers overseas, such as personal-size non–perishable snacks, toiletries, stationary, CDs, DVDs, sunglasses, suntan lotion, etc. Monetary donations are also welcome. </p><p>For more information, call 828-894-5858. If you are unable to attend, items may be dropped off at WJFJ radio station at 60 Court St., Columbus. </p><p>Compiled from staff reports</p>